All students must submit transcripts testifying to their history in higher education, a statement of academic purpose, and two letters of recommendation.
The statement of academic purpose should describe the aspects of your background relevant to the degree, indicate your plans for graduate study at Columbia, and explain how the degree relates to your professional ambitions.
The writing sample should be approximately 15 pages long, a paper written for a course pertaining to the general field of American studies is preferred. Alternatively, you may provide a focused essay written in an academic style that examines an article, book, exhibit, or event relevant to your field of interest.

The Graduate School requires the following minimum scores:

600 on the TOEFL paper-and-pencil test
100 on the TOEFL internet-based test
7.5 on IELTS